Abstract

Background

To measure the content of cholesterol-raising diterpenes in coffee sold at the retailer
level in Singapore, Indonesia and India and to determine the relationship of coffee
consumption with lipid levels in a population-based study in Singapore.

Methods

Survey and cross-sectional study in local coffee shops in Singapore, Indonesia and
India to measure the diterpene content in coffee, and a population-based study in
Singapore to examine the relationship of coffee consumption and blood lipid levels.
Interviews and coffee samples (n = 27) were collected from coffee shops in Singapore,
Indonesia and India. In addition, 3000 men and women who were Chinese, Malay, and
Indian residents of Singapore participated in a cross-sectional study.

Conclusions

Based on the low levels of diterpenes found in traditionally prepared coffee consumed
in Singapore and India, coffee consumption in these countries does not appear to be
a risk factor for elevation of serum cholesterol, whereas samples tested from Indonesia
showed mixed results depending on the type of preparation method used.